Articles

Over the ten years of its work, Synagogue 2000 collected a wide variety of articles related to its programs and beliefs. Not all of these articles represent the beliefs of Synagogue 2000, but rather are a sampling from other thought leaders in the synagogue renewal field.

My Ideal Synagogue written and illustrated by Yaacov Agam: Noted artist Yaacov Agam describes his "ideal synagogue," including its art and flexible architecture. (architecture, infrastructure)

From Continuity to Renewal by Donna Berman: Rabbi Berman addresses Jewish Continuity programs, and wonders if some of the work doesn't actually "contribute to the weakening of our people." (spirituality)

Prayer Block, by Lawrence Bush: A short essay on why it is sometimes hard to pray. (worship)

Crossover Dreams --- Does folk-singer Debbie Friedman have the cure for our spiritual blues? by Debra Nussbaum Cohen: A brief discussion of Debbie Friedman's music. (music)

From Addiction to Recovery, by Susan J. Cole: One Jewish answer dealing with addiction. (healing)

Shul Searching, by Robert Eshman: The story of one woman in Los Angeles, CA, who can't find a place to pray even with 519,000 Jews and over 175 synagogues. (worship)

The Jewish Way of Healing, by Nancy Flam: Rabbi Flam presents one Jewish view of healing. (healing)

Healing of Body; Healing of Spirit, by Nancy Flam: Rabbi Flam compares spiritual healing and physical healing. (healing)

Why Temples Look the Way They Do, by Rabbi Danny Freelander: An historical overview of how Temples ended up being build the way they did. (architecture)

The Mikvah as Spiritual Therapy by Elyse Goldstein: Rabbi Goldstein, a reform rabbi, writes about the traditional mikvah experience, and how she uses it with her congregants. (ritual)

Torah and Being: Finding Ourselves in the Word by Arthur Hertzberg: A short essay about the role of Torah in our lives. (study)

In Search of a Spiritual Home, by Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman: Rabbi Hoffman discusses spiritual maps and how to find one's Jewish spiritual home there. (spirituality)

A Tale of Four Generations, by Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman: Rabbi Hoffman discusses how the last four generations of Jewish Americans differ one from the other, and the consequences these differences have for American Judaism. (spirituality)

Searching for a Second Course, by Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman: Rabbi Hoffman's address at HUC-JIR (NY)'s Founders' Day, inaugurating the Barbara and Stephen Friedman Chair in Liturgy, Worship and Ritual. (prayer)

Ethnicity, Geography and Jewish Community, by Sherry Israel: A discussion of the importance of understanding how most American Jews live their lives, and bringing Judaism to them where they are. (worship)

What I Learned from My Heart Attack, by Stephen A. Karol: Rabbi Karol discusses how having a heart attack helped him better appreciate life. (healing)

My Temple, My Sanctuary by Jill Menkes Kushner: A short essay about finding Jewish "spirituality" at the Temple. (worship)

The Personnel Crisis in Jewish Life by Richard A. Marker: An essay about what's wrong with Jewish Leadership, and some ideas about how to fix it.(infrastructure)

Synagogue Transformation Revisited by Richard A. Marker: Some thoughts about what needs to be transformed in synagogues, and how to go about that transformation.(infrastructure)

Showing Up by Avis Dimond Miller: A short essay about the importance of personal visits. (healing)

Dennis Prager talks about the importance of talking about God. (theology)

The Bindings that Tie by Erik Rosen: A discussion of Leslie Golomb Harman's "wimpel" project. (ritual)

How to be a Truly Spiritual Jew by Jeffrey K. Salkin: Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin notes that for some, "spiritual" has taken on a meaning of "non-intellectual," and argues that knowledge and intellect can augment spiritual experiences. (spirituality)

The Jewish Ethics Challenge: Where do You Stand? by Arthur Gross Schaefer: An ethics quiz and discussion. (ethics)

The Power of a Prayer Shawl: Exploring Jewish Ritual Objects by Yael Shuman: A discussion of the power of ritual objects, as seen through the example of a tallit ("prayer shawl"). (ritual)

Observations of a Rabbi Who Never Became a Bar Mitzvah by Jack Stern: Rabbi Jack Stern, who never never became a bar mitzvah, discussed the role of Bar Mitzvah as it relates to developments in the Reform Movement in America. (ritual)

What is Jewish Healing?, by Meir Sendor: Rabbi Sendor presents one Jewish view of healing. (healing)

Rethinking Jewish Education, by Michael Zeldin: Zeldin questions the three assumptions that (1) education takes places solely at home; (2) Hebrew School will remain the primary format for Jewish education; and (3) instituting new programs will solve educational programs. (education)